Welcome back to The Rundown, our daily breakdown on comic news stories we missed from the previous day. Have a link to share? Email our team at rundown@multiversitycomics.com.
In case you missed it, Valiant announced three new titles, and we have an exclusive preview of “We Ride Titans” #2.
– The Vault Comics fantasy series “Barbaric” is returning this May with the one-shot story “Barbaric: The Harvest Blades,” from original writer Michael Moreci, along with new artist Richard Pace. Original series artist Nathan Gooden is returning to do the cover for the one-shot. “Barbaric” follows a warrior who becomes forced to help all those in need, driven along by his sentient axe. Vault Comics have advertised the issue as “the first of many one-shots that further explore the world of ‘Barbaric'” before the second arc of the series begins this July. “Barbaric: The Harvest Blades” releases May 25 for US$5.99.
– The French graphic novel “Always Never” from cartoonist Jordi Lafebre (“Glorious Summers,” “La Mondaine”) and colorist Clémence Sapin is officially getting an English-language release through Dark Horse Comics this August. The unconvential graphic novel tells its love story in reverse, with lovers Ana and Zeno retiring after knowing each other for 40 years, and embracing the shared romance they’ve kept hidden for all that time. The hardcover OGN releases August 3 for US$24.99.
– Z2 Comics have announced their latest comic collaboration with a musical artist, the OGN “Eternal Blue” with Spiritbox, the Canadian heavy metal trio. The OGN, named for their debut album, is written by the band alongside Jim Kreuger with art by Amilcar Pinna, and colors from Trionna Farrell. The deluxe edition of the book even includes a Spiritbox, which can be ordered separately for US$99. Also included in the Platinum edition is a series of prints, a signed copy of the comic, and a set of pins. “Eternal Blue: A Spiritbox Graphic Novel” is set to release this June.
– Marvel has announced the next prose novel in its collaboration with Aconyte Books, the cosmic adventure novel Squirrel Girl: Universe by Tristan Palmgren, making this the latest in the publisher’s Marvel Heroines imprint. The story features Doreen Green hitching a ride into space on a flying whale, before landing on the frontlines of an interplanetary war that only she can prevent. Squirrel Girl: Universe releases in softcover on August 2, 2022.
– Marvel has revealed the first wave of toys and merchandising for the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder, starting with a series of Hasbro figures and a LEGO set of Thor’s new ‘Goat Boat.’ The boat looks like a classic Viking longboat pulled through space by two flying goats, most likely Thor’s sidekicks Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder. The set includes King Valkyrie and Gorr, as well as Thor, Jane Foster’s Mighty Thor, and Korg; that trio have also been revealed as the first wave of Hasbro figures from the film, featuring the new costumes from the film. Expected to release additionally are toys modelled after Thor’s axe Stormbreaker and the repaired Mjolnir. Thor: Love and Thunder releases July 8, 2022, and a trailer is expected soon.
– Lastly, DC has announced a return to its previously concluded DC Animated Movie Universe with the short film Constantine: The House of Mystery, revealing a first trailer as a part of IGN Fan Fest 2022. It showcases Matt Ryan’s John Constantine being trapped in the titular non-Euclidian House of Mystery, where he’s been imprisoned for his role in breaking the sanctity of the afterlife and the progress of the timeline. We see his torture by a hoard of demons, including Etrigan, as Constantine looks to escape from a prison where his magic is useless. The film will release on Blu-ray and digital as part of a set including the short films The Losers, Blue Beetle and Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth!
